Geoffrey Keezer does not own any shares in Qualcomm, the San Diego-based international telecom giant. But Qualcomm co-founder Irwin Jacobs and his wife, Joan, have put some stock in this acclaimed pianist and solo artist, who lives in North Park and has collaborated with Sting and such jazz icons as Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter and the late Ray Brown.

“Geoffrey plays exceedingly well,” said Irwin Jacobs, who met Keezer when he and singer Denise Donatelli performed at a private Qualcomm event at the Jacobses’ La Jolla home.

Keezer has earned multiple Grammy nominations for his duo albums with Donatelli. He was immediately taken with the warmth and graciousness of the Jacobs — and with the luminous sound of their 9-foot Steinway grand piano. The former Qualcomm chairman was so impressed by Keezer’s musical excellence and improvisational ingenuity that he invited the keyboard wizard to record on the Jacobses’ Steinway.

In 2011, Keezer spent two days doing exactly that. The result is his sublime new solo album, “Heart of the Piano” (Motéma Records), a sparkling showcase for his compositional prowess, dazzling technical command and depth of expression.

The album was produced by La Jolla Athenaeum jazz program director Daniel Atkinson, who introduced Keezer to the Jacobs. Atkinson is also a co-founder of San Diego’s KMF Audio, which in 2007 developed the state-of-the-art recording microphones used to make “Heart” and the Grammy-nominated 2007 album “Standards,” which features a trio anchored by ex-Weather Report drummer Peter Erskine.

"Irwin and Joan have been supporters of the Athenaeum's jazz programming for the past 15 to 20 years," Atkinson noted. "Joan called me in late 2010 to say that they need musical performers for a Qualcomm event at their home. I suggested Geoffrey and Denise , and they went over very well. And, for years, Irwin had said, very generously: 'If you have a project you want to record on our piano, please let me know.' This (album by Keezer) was perfect."

In hindsight, it almost seems as if the stars were in rare alignment for the "Heart" album to be made.

“We almost always go to the jazz concerts at the Athenaeum,” said Jacobs, who in his teen years was an avocational jazz trombonist and clarinetist.

“Geoffrey performed in the music room at our home (with Donatelli), and liked the setting and the piano. And Dan had helped develop a special stereo microphone. That all came together in the recording they did here, so we’re very pleased to have been able to do that and then have it turn out so well.”

Keezer is equally delighted, especially since “Heart” has been submitted for Grammy Award nomination consideration.

“Irwin and Joan Jacobs are huge supporters of the arts and music, both classical and jazz,” said Keezer, who plays a free solo concert here Sunday afternoon, Sept. 1, at the Encinitas Library. “Many concerts that go on in San Diego, in large part, are because of the Jacobses’ generosity. And they've been in the front row for several of my concerts in San Diego.”